President's Message

Does the expression “bring home the bacon” conjure any imagery for you? Most people reasonably think of money and success. But what does this expression actually mean and where did it come from? As best as we can tell, bringing home the bacon comes from a 1906 boxing match and not, as some may claim, the Dunmow Flitch.

The Dunmow Flitch began in the year 1104. One year and a day after their marriage, the Lord of the Manor—the perfectly named Reginald Fitzwalter—and his wife disguised themselves as local paupers and asked the head priest of the Little Dunmow Priory to bless their marriage. The Prior of Little Dunmow was duly impressed with their marital devotion that he bestowed them a side of a butchered hog (aka a flitch of bacon). Apparently upon revealing his true identity to the Prior, Fitzwalter donated his land to the Priory on the condition that flitches would continue to be awarded should any other couples successfully prove their devotion. The tradition was recounted in literature throughout the centuries, and even continues to this day. Unfortunately, however, there is no evidence to link today’s expression with the Dunmow Flitch.  

Fast forward to 1906.

With $1 billion in annual sales, meatpacking was America’s biggest industry by far. Surging American demand for meat (including bacon) helped cities like Chicago become a meatpacking epicenter. The industry was dangerous, nasty and …not hygienic. After working undercover in the industry, Upton Sinclair published “The Jungle” in February 1906 which exposed the disgusting underbelly of America’s meatpacking industry and coined the term “wage slavery.” Americans really wanted their bacon and, at 13 cents a pound, bacon was not cheap. 

Later that year, on September 3, 1906 legendary boxer Joe Gans defeated Oscar “Battling” Nelson over a grueling 42 rounds (the longest fight in modern boxing history). Joe Gans was the first African-American to win a World Boxing Championship and has been called the greatest lightweight boxer of all time. This match was all but rigged against him, but Joe prevailed when Nelson was disqualified for an obvious foul of hitting Gans below the belt. The local newspapers picked up on a telegram that his mother sent him before the fight: 

“Joe, the eyes of the world are on you. Everybody says you ought to Win. Peter Jackson will tell me the news, and you bring back the bacon.” 

Joe replied, “Your boy Joe is bringing the bacon and lots of gravy.”

Not unexpectedly, sports writers picked up on the phrase and before too long, Americans began using bringing home the bacon to refer generally to achieving money and success.

It easy to focus on the bacon. But have we lost sight of the home? When Joe Gans stepped into the ring he spent 42 hard-fought rounds in service to his mother, his family, and his community. He had earned every penny, but he brought his winnings home.

The League is always in your corner when you step into the ring to bring back the bacon for your members and employees. Some bouts may be easy knockouts and others will take 42 rounds, but we can all feast at the end of the fight. 

With deep thanks to all of you,
Bruce